This morning I used up four perfectly good sheets of blank paper as I tried to create an author signature that I was happy with.
No, I wasn’t being vain, or dreaming of fame and fortune. I didn’t even have Waterstone book signings in mind (*shudders* see my last post for why I DONT dream of such things).
The signatures were being prepared for something I’ve never done before – a signed copy of my eBook ‘A Construct of Angels.’ Yes, it IS possible to do such a thing. There’s a feature called Kindlegraph that allows a reader to request an autograph via Twitter.
I haven’t managed to embrace such technologies as yet, nor do I envisage an electronic stampede from readers, so my Mark One version will have to do for now.
Using a pen, paper (remember them?) and a scanner, I managed to create a usable scribble. It’s not as easy as it sounds. If you bear in mind that most authors don’t write under their birth names, then creating a smoothly-flowing squiggle from an unfamiliar name doesn’t come naturally to the hand or the eye.
Try it – pick a celebrity name and pretend you are surrounded by clamouring fans desperate for the smell of a Sharpie. Now try to produce ten consistent squiggles. That was my problem this morning. ‘Andrew’ really is my birth name, so that was no problem…but ‘Toynbee’ threw my brain completely off the tacks.
So, anyway, after the forementioned sheets of paper had been sacrificed, this is the result;
So, I now have a .png version that I can add into my .html eBook file. By dedicating a page to each fan in particular and adding a personal message, I’m able to create a personalised eBook for them. I currently have six in my queue and each book that I create will be unique.
It’s an interesting exercise and it’s refreshing my memory on eBook formatting. Since October 2012, my leaky brain has forgotten about half of the fomatting process *sigh* and I need to get back into the saddle, as it were.
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Nicholas C. Rossis
Oct 17, 2014 @ 14:06:58
Actually, that’s one heck of a pretty signature! It looks very natural, too, which made it so funny when I read the story behind it…
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Andrew Toynbee
Oct 17, 2014 @ 20:39:07
It’s more structured than my natural signature, but it flows in a similar way.
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Being Popular by Association | That's Right, ANOTHER Writer!
May 25, 2013 @ 06:29:00
L. Marie
May 20, 2013 @ 13:09:26
Love the esig! I need to practice my scribble!
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Andrew Toynbee
May 20, 2013 @ 13:58:19
I tried to create something that looked smooth and said ‘angels’…thus the wasted sheets of paper.
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Adrian
May 20, 2013 @ 12:31:22
I remember being told by a fellow author that I had to practice mine so we did it for a few hours during a writing group. My first name is not real, but the last is the same. What’s harder for me than autographs is people calling me Adrian to my face at writing groups and conventions.
I hadn’t heard of the e signing thing. Ill check it out. I wonder if people will not like it as much since its an electronic thing. I’ve been signing book marks or good prints of the cover of the book and mailing them for free. For less than a dollar I can mail it–not going into the cost of the bookmark or card =P
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Andrew Toynbee
May 20, 2013 @ 12:40:31
No, the eSig is less tactile for sure. I like the idea of sending out signed covers. I have been distributing bookmarks to promote my book for six months now – I even signed one! 😀 but to send out signed one is a nice idea – and the only swag I have (to date).
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Adrian
May 20, 2013 @ 12:43:32
I have bookmarks and keychains. The keychains seem to be more popular. There’s a lot of people who read ebook and have no need of bookmarks.
Distributing where? If you don’t mind.
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Andrew Toynbee
May 20, 2013 @ 12:50:15
I pass them out to everyone I meet… 🙂 I ask if the person reads and then pass them a book mark for use with paper books if they prefer them, or Kindle / Kobo / Smashwords if they are electronic.
It serves as a useful icebreaker – and it’s a freebie as far as they’re concerned. 😀 If I’d included some sort of discount code, I’d be able to track how many sales they had netted me. Something to consider for the future.
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Adrian
May 20, 2013 @ 12:51:36
Yeah that’s true. I don’t have control over any of that. I’ve seen just from starting conversations that people will buy books. In front of me. Which is awkward.
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thatsrightanotherwriter
May 20, 2013 @ 04:00:57
I remember wasting endless amounts of paper on my signature whenever I was in grade school. Since then, my husband has given me a very foreign complex name that throws me for a loop every time I try to sign a check or piece of paper. Your final product looks good, though!! 🙂
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Andrew Toynbee
May 20, 2013 @ 07:36:58
Aww…the hassle of having to get used to a new name…you could always write under a name that’s similar to your maiden name though…
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Looking Out The Window
May 20, 2013 @ 02:45:09
I love the post and your signature. So many of imagine ourselves as a writer. Congrats for doing it.
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Andrew Toynbee
May 20, 2013 @ 07:35:58
Thank you – although I did it for the winner of the eBook. I think it adds a personal touch, though. 🙂
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suecox2013
May 20, 2013 @ 02:10:42
It’s a beautiful signature!
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Andrew Toynbee
May 20, 2013 @ 07:36:06
Why thank you Sue – kind of you to say so! 😀
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Andrew Toynbee
May 20, 2013 @ 07:38:16
The circle above the name (which took a bit of working out) represents the angels in my story as it resembles (I hope) a halo.
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